Nearly half the workforce is either actively or passively looking for a new job at the moment, according to the latest research from recruitment group Reed. Statistics from over 800 people of working age across the UK commissioned by Reed from independent researchers BMRB show 31% are currently passively job-seeking by staying aware of the job market while an additional 14% are actively seeking new jobs.
Sought-after 25 to 34 year-olds are the most aware of new opportunities, with a total of 58% either passively or actively job-seeking at the moment. Younger people are the most likely to be actively job-seeking, with nearly a quarter (23%) of workers aged 18-25 actively job-seeking, compared to just over a fifth (21%) of those aged 25 to 34.
Interest in the job market only drops below half of the workforce once people reach the age of 45, with a total of 44% staying aware of new opportunities amongst those aged 45 to 54, dropping to 17% amongst those aged 55 to 64.
Overall men are more in touch with the job market than women, with 52% of men either passively or actively job-seeking compared to 37% of women. However across social classes awareness remains surprisingly steady amongst AB, C1 and C2 workers, with an average of a third passively job-seeking and 12% actively doing so. Things change for social class D, however, where many more are actively job-seeking (20%), while fewer are simply staying in touch with the job market (28%).
